NEWS SUMMARY

Published: June 10, 2005

INTERNATIONAL A3-11

Proposal for Debt Relief Backed by U.S. and Britain
The United States and Britain have reached an agreement on how to write off the billions of dollars the world's poorest nations owe to international lenders, a senior official involved in the negotiations said. A1

The United Nations released two reports that called for increased aid and debt relief in sub-Saharan Africa. A10

Beating of Women Stirs Unrest
The recent beating and groping of women as part of an attack on political protesters by a crowd of men chanting support for the ruling party has helped to unify groups calling for a more democratic government. A1

Quebec Health Law Is Voided
The Supreme Court struck down a Quebec law banning private medical insurance in a decision that represents a blow to the publicly financed national health care system. A3

African Militants Fight in Iraq
A growing number of Islamic militants from northern and sub-Saharan Africa are fighting American and Iraqi forces in Iraq, American military officials say. A11

Syria Accused of Terror Plots
The United States has received information that Syrian operatives in Lebanon plan to try to assassinate Lebanese leaders and that Syrian military intelligence forces are returning to Lebanon to create unrest, a senior administration official said. A4

New Bolivian President Named
Bolivia's Congress accepted the resignation of President Carlos Mesa and appointed the head of the Supreme Court, Eduardo Rodr?ez, as the new president. A9

NATIONAL A12-18

Report Cites Missteps By F.B.I. Before 9/11
The F.B.I. missed at least five chances in the months before Sept. 11, 2001, to find two hijackers as they prepared for the attacks and settled in San Diego, the Justice Department inspector general said in a report. A1

Losses in Amtrak's Cafe Cars
Amtrak, the beleaguered railroad which is paying just over $2 for each dollar of food it sells on its trains, said at a Congressional hearing that it has little hope of breaking even. A1

Data Show Younger Immigrants
New census figures just released show that the immigrant population in the United States is becoming younger, a shift likely to foster more tolerance for diversity and perhaps accelerate assimilation, demographers and immigration experts say. A12

Dean Remarks Draw Scrutiny
Just four months into his service as head of the Democratic Party, Howard Dean faced a growing number of critics and a scolding from his party during a visit to Capitol Hill. A12

Tobacco Trial Comes to a Close
The government's nine-month racketeering trial against the nation's leading cigarette companies ended on a tumultuous note as company lawyers accused the government of a late change in the terms of a proposed national stop-smoking program. A16

Negroponte Holds On to Power
In a victory for the new director of national intelligence, John D. Negroponte, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee dropped a demand that his panel have veto power over Mr. Negroponte's personnel decisions. A18

NEW YORK/REGION B1-8

Begging Arrests Continue Despite Voided Law
Even though a New York City law against panhandling was declared unconstitutional more than a decade ago, the police, prosecutors and judges continue to arrest, charge and punish people for begging, officials acknowledged. B1

Nightclub Owner Acquitted
Richard Grant, the owner of the Sound Factory, once one of Manhattan's hottest nightclubs, was acquitted on charges that he turned the club into a den for rampant drug use and sales. B3

Inmate Care Criticized
New York City's most recent evaluation of Prison Health Services Inc., the company in charge of inmate health care at Rikers Island, has found that it fails to meet a number of the most basic treatment goals. B1

WEEKEND E1-38;E39-46

ESCAPES F1-14

OBITUARIES A19

SPORTSFRIDAY D1-7

Spurs Win First Game of Finals
In Game 1 of the N.B.A. finals Manu Gin?i scored 22 of his 26 points in the second half, teaming with a dominating Tim Duncan to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Detroit Pistons, 84-69. The Pistons were led by Chauncey Billups, who scored 25 points. D1

BUSINESS DAY C1-14

Mortgage Rates Defy Trend
The Fed has lifted its benchmark short-term rate eight times since last summer in an effort to choke off inflation, but during that time mortgage rates have continued to fall -- a situation that Alan Greenspan, the Fed chairman, called ''clearly without recent precedent.'' A1

Heartburn Drug's Troubles
Corporate and government documents describing the record of troubles for Propulsid, a heartburn medicine, show Johnson & Johnson trying to save the drug despite growing evidence of harmful side effects. A1

Acquittal for Broker
A former broker with Bank of America was acquitted of 29 counts tied to improper trading in mutual funds. C1